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1.31.2014

Sunshine State Bound

There are some of you that know what this Ohio winter, or Midwest in general, has been like(you have never heard me complain about the cold...not even once.) For those of you who don't know, please do me a favor and stay exactly where you are. Do not move a muscle. Do not travel north. Don't even think about it! Soak up as much sunshine and warmth that you have because there sure as heck isn't any here (OK, that's a lie-it has been sunny but it doesn't count because we can't do anything outside anyways.) Generally speaking, we've been pretty spoiled with our winters the past few years as I remember two years ago I didn't even see any snow, but this year...this year...it has come back with vengeance for us.

For the past few weeks, I'm pretty sure I've been cold 16 hours per day. When I'm not sleeping, I'm cold. When I'm working, my heater is on full blast. When I'm showering, the water is cranked as hot as it can go and I dream about staying in there for as long as possible (who's with me on this?). Try and imagine temperatures in the single and negative digits with high wind chills.....IT IS JUST NOT FUN, PEOPLE! You know it's bad when 15 degrees feels like a heat wave.

Poor Rocky can't even get a walk in without us having to pick him up on the way home because his paws are so cold. Lately it's been a struggle to even get out of the house after work to go to the gym, or do anything for that matter. That's just how cold it is and also why my life is pretty dull in the winter. I like to think I make up for this during our warmer months...you really learn to appreciate the weather so much more.

This is exactly why I would do crazy things to be able to sit on the beach, a drink in my hand, with no plans other than just soaking up the sunshine and spending the whole day outside. Crazy things.

Luckily I don't have to this time because from our good news that I shared Wednesday and the reasons listed above, that is EXACTLY what we're doing...Moving to Florida. Kidding, but it doesn't sound half bad right now*

Going on a last minute vacation to Florida for a full week (Sarasota and possibly Naples for a day or two)

with Rocky in tow. ....and we leave tonight.

Dear Bucket List, I'm checking "Take a spontaneous trip" off of you! I have always wanted to pick up and go somewhere with hardly any planning. I imagine it'll look a little something like this...

drinks

pool days

and happiness (minus the sunburns from this old picture...)

My husband made me the happiest girl in America by suggesting and putting this amazing plan together within like three days. Just looking at the forecast and seeing the temps in the low 80's while we will be there (and not just 8...) makes me too happy for words. Even 70 degrees will probably feel like 110 to us at this point.

If any of you Florida gals have any recommendations for good restaurants/bars on the beach (because let's be honest-I don't plan to move much from the sand or the pool) in and around the Siesta Key area, I would love it if you sent them my way!

*I have a fun Etsy shop giveaway that I will post next week, but I really want to focus on enjoying our trip as much as possible without being attached to a computer so I won't be blogging much until we get back. If you're interested, you can keep up with our trip via instagram but please don't hate me for the excessive pictures...I finally get to thaw out, friends! This is one heck of a big deal (or we like to think so) Also, don't forget to enter for a chance to win a Target $1,000 gift card!

**Billy's new job does give us the opportunity to relocate down the road (if we are interested) to say, somewhere farther south... ;) We will see! Happy friday, everyone!

Have an amazing trip! It's been pretty cold here lately too, but tomorrow all of a sudden it's back in the 80's which makes me a happy girl :)

I grew up in Connecticut, and relocated to Florida 3 and 1/2 years ago and you couldn't pay me enough to move back. Now that you guys have the opportunity to relocate down the road I highly recommend FL. No more bitterly cold winters plus a much cheaper cost of living is a win-win.

Ohhhh what part of FL are you going to? I'm in Pensacola (near Pensacola Beach and Destin)-- where we had our first "snow" in about 20 something years the other day. In fact, it was the first time I had ever seen snow (I blogged about it). I've decided that I will take humidity and sweat over ice and runny noses any day. I hope you guys enjoy your trip!!

My hometown! I'm about 2 hours south of that now, but the weather is set to be GORGEOUS this weekend! You picked a good time, because it has been rainy gross for the last few weeks. But it's highs in the 80's with all sun this weekend!!

Definitely go to SKOB in the Village. They have an AMAZING brunch. And live music at night!Daquiri Deck is always fun if you want to sit and drink massive amounts of frozen drinks.

I totally feel your pain with this winter weather! I'd bet y'all get a lot of the same systems that come through Illinois. I'm so over it and they're predicting more snow and wintery mix this weekend! :( Thankfully, I leave for a girls only vacay to Puerto Rico on Tuesday! I just keep telling myself it's only a few more days... just a few more days!

When I saw your IG I thought for sure Billy's new job meant relocating south!! lol, enjoy the trip regardless! We are headed to Florida in a few weeks and I'm pretty sure I'm going to start packing this weekend! I cannot wait to enjoy some warmer temperatures and lots of sunshine--- have a blast!!

Enjoy your spontaneous trip! I don't get to break away from this Ohio blah-ness til the end of February. And it will be to Charleston, with 50-60 deg weather, not the beach - but that will still feel GLORIOUS!

My sister lives close to there (she got the heck out of Northwest Ohio after high school)....I'd recommend Siesta Key Oyster Bar & the Daiquiri Deck. St. Armands Circle is a nicer place to shop & go on a nice date. I'm very jealous :)

Oh girl I feel your pain and have been wondering why I chose to move out of the south and go north for two years. Worst decision ever! Enjoy your warmth.. and sun.. and beach and pool and so on... I'm jealous :)

My parents have a house on Anna Maria Island (2 islands north) and it's stunning there. St Armand's has great shopping and the Beach house and Sandbar on AMI are both great. The north end of AMI has great shopping too and some nicer restaurants. Enjoy!!

This winter has been horrible, at least in the Midwest. I grew up just outside of Chicago and I live in Maine now. It seems like very time I check forecast Chicago is getting more snow than us and it's much colder there! Usually we have more snow and the temperature is about the same.

How exciting!! I love the idea of a spontaneous trip, especially getting away to somewhere warm to escape the harsh winter. Hope you're having a great time indulging and relaxing :)the-lifestyle-project.com

The weather in Central Texas has been off it's rocker lately. Just all over the place. 30 degrees one moment, and then 76 another moment! I am traveling to St. Louis in 2 weeks and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for nice weather!